SRINAGAR: Navin Kumar Choudhary, a 1994-batch officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, is the first civil servant from outside the Union Territory to get the domicile certificate. Choudhary from Bihar had served in various departments of the erstwhile state and is presently Principal Secretary in the Agriculture production department.
The domicile certificate was issued by Tehsildar of Jammu’s Bahu area on June 24. The J&K administration, which is fast-tracking issuance of domicile papers, has so far issued certificates to about 25,000 applicants. Officials have so far received 33,157 applications — nearly 32,000 in Jammu and 720 in Kashmir — for issuance of domicile certificates, according to sources.
The government has set a 15-day deadline for issuance of a domicile certificate and officials will be fined Rs 50,000 in case of a delay.
The Modi government scrapped J&K’s special status under Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution on August 5 last year and notified a domicile law for J&K UT on April 1. Under the domicile law, all those living in J&K for 15 years are entitled to a domicile certificate.
Those who have studied for seven years and appeared in Class 10th/12th examination in J&K are also defined as domiciles. Under Articles 370 and 35A, outsiders were barred from getting residentship, purchasing land and applying for jobs and scholarships in J&K.